NATIONWIDE – According to the World Health Organization, it’s not precisely known how long COVID-19 stays on a surface but research is showing it behaves much like other coronaviruses.
Coronaviruses are actually a large family of viruses that can cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more serious sicknesses like SARS and MERS.
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Other coronaviruses usually can live on a surface anywhere from a few hours to a few days. It depends on variety of factors, anything from what kind of surface, to how hot or cold it is.
Last month, the New England Journal of Medicine conducted a study looking at exactly how long COVID-19 stays on different types of surfaces. It found the virus lives longer on surfaces like plastic and stainless steel than surfaces like cardboard and copper.
That said, the CDC recommends cleaning and disinfecting surfaces regularly to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. That process can take as little as a few minutes and can be done with common household cleaners like these.
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If you’re in a household with someone who has been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus or is just sick, it’s recommended that you wash and disinfect surfaces even more frequently.
The other thing to remember is to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water after touching a surface before touching your face.
That is still the best option for protecting yourself from getting sick.
For the latest information from the CDC go here.